The Dynamic Island isn't what I'd call a "notification." Apps use it to show you something that you're actively doing or tracking right now. Using it to show ads is like stealing a piece of your visible screen real estate to set up a tiny billboard that says "buy Duolingo!"
> I get ads in my notifications all the time.
FWIW, I don't get any ads in my notifications except for that one obnoxious F1 movie ad from Apple themselves.
> Android users highlight a better system. On that platform, developers must separate promotional, transactional, and service-related notifications into channels. You can silence the ads while keeping delivery alerts or account updates.
> Notifications were designed to inform. Instead, they’ve become another tool to sell. Unless platforms enforce stricter controls or let users fine-tune preferences, the problem will only grow.
>Apps that violate Apple's interface guidelines can be pulled from the App Store.
Is this actually true? The "Don’t use a Live Activity to display ads or promotions" recommendation is under "Best practices", which sounds non-compulsory.
I had to truncate and got pissed because titles on HN are too small (it’s not the first time I was forced to editorialize a title because of HN limitations), so I just cut at the end. The all caps part “GUI” was definitely a surprise!
Apple - unfortunately - doesn't actually enforce these rules. I get ads in my notifications all the time.
The Dynamic Island isn't what I'd call a "notification." Apps use it to show you something that you're actively doing or tracking right now. Using it to show ads is like stealing a piece of your visible screen real estate to set up a tiny billboard that says "buy Duolingo!"
> I get ads in my notifications all the time.
FWIW, I don't get any ads in my notifications except for that one obnoxious F1 movie ad from Apple themselves.
It's a miserable change.
> Android users highlight a better system. On that platform, developers must separate promotional, transactional, and service-related notifications into channels. You can silence the ads while keeping delivery alerts or account updates.
> Notifications were designed to inform. Instead, they’ve become another tool to sell. Unless platforms enforce stricter controls or let users fine-tune preferences, the problem will only grow.
https://www.macobserver.com/news/how-notifications-became-ad...
Moreover, Apple needs guidelines to prevent Apple's own apps (Wallet, TV, Fitness, Books, Music...) from pushing intrusive ads via app notifications:
> Apple customers aren’t thrilled they’re getting an ad from the Apple Wallet app promoting the tech giant’s original film “F1 the Movie.”
https://techcrunch.com/2025/06/24/iphone-customers-upset-by-...
>Apps that violate Apple's interface guidelines can be pulled from the App Store.
Is this actually true? The "Don’t use a Live Activity to display ads or promotions" recommendation is under "Best practices", which sounds non-compulsory.
Original title: “Duolingo Used iPhone's Dynamic Island to Display Ads, Violating Apple Design Guidelines”
Was that a manual truncation? The capitalization of the "gui" part seems automated, though it could be an autocorrect thing
I had to truncate and got pissed because titles on HN are too small (it’s not the first time I was forced to editorialize a title because of HN limitations), so I just cut at the end. The all caps part “GUI” was definitely a surprise!
for might have worked;
Duolingo Used iPhone's Dynamic Island for Ads, Violating Apple Design Guidelines
Dynamic Island is the most pretentious name for a giant hole in the screen.